Ronald R. "Jake" McDowell

Ronald R. "Jake" McDowell, 64, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Monday, December 31, 2007, at his home. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 3, 2008, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the New London Christian Church, where the family will greet friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. that evening. A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 4, 2008, at 10:30 a.m., at the New London Christian Church, with the Rev. Rod Cooper officiating. A family inurnment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to H2O (Help to Others) and the Henry County Conservation Board. Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel of Mt. Pleasant is handling the arrangements. Born April 17, 1943, in Wyman, IA, Jake was the son of James and Irene Thompson McDowell. He was a graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School. In1963, he married Patricia Scarff. The couple later divorced. Jake met Linda Bishop of New London, IA in 1986, and the couple later married on February 11, 1995. Jake was a barber for ten years before beginning a thirty year career with the United States Postal Service, from which he retired in 2003. He served in the National Guard for six years. A 27 year member of the chain gang for the Mt. Pleasant football team, Jake was also a member of the Goal Line Club. He was a charter member of Pheasants Forever and the Dickeys' Coffee Club. He enjoyed playing cards, hunting, gardening, and golfing. He loved fishing and the quiet times spent at his cabin on the Skunk River. Jake was known to his family and friends for his famous fish fries. Along with his wife, Linda, of Mt. Pleasant, Jake is survived by two sons, Tom McDowell and his wife Sara of Oskaloosa, IA and Tony McDowell and his wife Natalie of Mt. Pleasant, IA; one daughter Terri Townsend of Bloomfield, IA; two step-sons, Jason Bishop and his wife Tara of Fairfield, IA and Michael Miller of Colorado Spring, CO; three brothers, Bill McDowell of Cottage Grove, MN, Lloyd McDowell of Moravia, IA and Larry McDowell of Ottumwa, IA; and one sister, Clara Hills of Winfield, IA. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Kelsie, Jakob, Madison, and Delaney McDowell and Austin and Alexis Townsend; and three step-grandchildren, Mason and Brendon Bishop and Reid Miller. Jake was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Floyd McDowell, and a niece and nephew.